Walking Tours of Historic Ipswich

“A Good Heat,” a short tale from Newburyport

In the latter half of the 18th Century, Mr. Gordon had a shipyard forge between Atkinson Common and Cashman Street. This gentleman was somewhat economical in his household and shop. At that period, cheese was a customary appendage of the dinner table, being considered an accessory to digestion. Mr. Gordon employed several workmen.

One day a large cheese was placed on the table; after the meat had been disposed of, Mr. Gordon took a knife to cut the cheese; turning it over, he exclaimed,

“This is a good cheese, a pretty cheese, too good to spoil!” and laying down the knife, he rose and called his men to their work.

That afternoon a large anchor was to be forged, the fire was kindled, the iron heated. “That is a good heat!” exultantly exclaimed the master.